Roo hops to aid of Ridley
NORTH Melbourne’s Tasmanian star Ben Brown is helping one of his biggest fans, Ridley Babich, 10, cope with coeliac disease as they raise awareness for the condition.
The pair met recently to share their stories about one of the most under-recognised medical conditions in Australia.
“We can make a difference to someone like Ridley’s life, and other children who have got the disease, because at the end of the day knowledge is the key,” Brown said.
STAR Tasmanian footballer Ben Brown is providing inspiration for one of his biggest fans, 10-year-old Ridley Babich, as the pair work on increasing the awareness of coeliac disease.
The North Melbourne forward met his young pal at the Kangaroos’ home base at Arden Street recently to share stories about one of the most under-recognised medical conditions in Australia.
One in 70 Australians has coeliac disease, but more than 80 per cent of those affected — more than 250,000 people — are unaware they have it.
The auto-immune disease leaves those suffering from it unable to eat foods containing gluten, which is found in wheat, barley, rye and oats.
There is no cure, and the only treatment is a strict glutenfree diet.
Brown, 25, was diagnosed in recent years and has become an advocate for greater awareness for the disease.
“We can make a difference to someone like Ridley’s life, and other children who have got the disease, because at the end of the day knowledge is the key,” Brown said.
“If we can increase knowledge around it, it just means more people will know they have it, more people will be aware of the condition, and we won’t have as many people sick, because of it.”
Ridley, who lives in Perth, has been a North Melbourne member since he was born.
He was diagnosed when he was five, and his mother, Sue, said it had given him strength to know his footy idol had gone through similar challenges.
“It has helped Ridley to know he and Ben are going through the same battles on a daily basis,” Sue said.
“The battles are very real and constant in providing him with a healthy lifestyle.”
Ridley said it was “exciting” to meet Ben, and the pair had a kick-to-kick session as they chatted about the disease.
Coeliac disease can often be hereditary, and after Brown found out he had it, his father was also tested and diagnosed with it, along with two of his brothers.
Untreated, the disease can lead to liver disease, cancer, osteoporosis and infertility, but with treatment, and a strict diet, the risk is greatly reduced.
Brown now follows a pescetarian diet, and no longer feels bloated or sick in the stomach, with gluten forever gone from his diet.
The switch coincided with the best form of his career as he has come off a season in which he kicked 63 goals, and has a new contract to stay with the Kangaroos until the end of 2020.
“(The changed diet) hasn’t impacted on my performances; if anything, I feel like I have been better,” Brown said. Today marks the start of Coeliac Awareness week, for more information, go to coeliac.org.au
We can make a difference to someone like Ridley’s life, and other children who have got the disease, because ... knowledge is the key
— BEN BROWN